A Multi-Pronged Approach
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has taken a significant step towards combating the spread of deepfakes, a type of deceptive media created using artificial intelligence. This initiative, according to Musk, has the potential to "make a big difference in defeating deepfakes (and shallowfakes)."
Shallowfakes, unlike deepfakes, are created without the use of AI. They involve manipulating photos, videos, and voice clips using readily available editing tools.
In a related development, X has implemented a feature that automatically displays notes on images when posts containing matching images are encountered. This allows users to see how many posts a particular image note is associated with, providing valuable context and transparency.
The rise of deepfakes has sparked concerns, particularly during election seasons, about the potential for misinformation to influence electoral processes. Experts have highlighted the need for urgent action to address this threat. The independent Oversight Board, composed of human rights and freedom of expression experts, has called for immediate measures to mitigate the impact of deepfakes on global elections.